8 The Connection | Thursday, December 1, 2016 |
EDITORIAL | OPINION aBOUT US
• OUR VIEW •
Tolls good idea if used for transit
The King Connection, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 100 community publications across Ontario.
The King Connection is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca
A
re road tolls an idea whose time has come? Toronto Mayor John Tory seems to think so, given his announcement he’d like to charge motorists $2 to drive the Don Valley Parkway and the Gardiner Expressway. According to Tory’s arithmetic, the move could generate more than $200 million per year to invest in transit infrastructure. York Chair Wayne Emmerson acknowledged that charging a toll to make use of the DVP and the Gardiner could have a significant impact on those who rely on the routes. He hopes to meet with Tory to discuss the matter. As a concept, tolls aren’t necessarily a bad thing.
‘Our concern is how the money raised will be allocated. Will the tolls be for the good of all GTA commuters, or only boost Toronto’s coffers?’ They were among the revenue tools the province bandied about when it floated various means through which to fund needed transit improvements. York Region has a number of projects on the go and remains hopeful the Yonge Street subway will eventually extend into Richmond Hill. That alone will cost billions, and the money will have to come from somewhere, be it tolls, new taxes or other user fees. Our concern is how the money raised will be allocated. Will the tolls be for the good of all GTA commuters, or only boost Toronto’s coffers? According to the Toronto Star, the Gardiner alone needs $3.6 billion worth of repairs, and Toronto’s operating budget is facing a $516-million shortfall next year. Despite the fact Toronto’s own city manager, Peter Wallace, noted the 416 enjoys the lowest residential tax rate in Ontario, Tory has made it clear that raising taxes above the inflation rate is a non-starter. Other municipalities grapple with higher increases and their residents often receive considerably fewer services. Why is it Toronto can nix higher property taxes and jump right to tolls? Thankfully, the province would have to sign off on any new road tolls first. Again, the tolls aren’t the issue, per se, but rather how the money they raise would be used. If the plan is to set aside funds to improve the GTA’s transit network, so be it, but if it’s to help Toronto stave off a long overdue property tax increase or to help pay for pet projects of dubious benefit (i.e. the Scarborough subway), then they should be treated as, to quote Tory when he was PC leader, “highway robbery”.
newsroom@yrmg.com facebook.com/yrmgnews @yorkregion
• LETTERS • Response to Canada Day shopping petition letters Ross Carson and Rolf Ehrat react to two letters to the editor published in the Nov. 17 issue of the Newmarket Era, Metroland Media Re: Petition urges York Region to ban Canada Day shopping, Oct. 31 1. Re: comments by C. Wallace: Your observation is important when you note that “businesses on Main Street are open during Canada Day celebrations in Newmarket and that floods of people spill into the street.” If those businesses are restaurants or antique shops or convenience stores, then they already have a provincial statutory exemption to be open. Our
● GET CONNECTED Have a comment on these or any other community issues? Email us at newsroom@yrmg.com petition seeks to close on Canada Day those larger retail businesses which justify being open by broadly interpreting the meaning of the phrase, “tourist attraction.” 2. Re: comments by B. Dwyer - Your sharp reaction to our desire to limit retail shopping on Canada Day makes several points. You assert the importance of personal freedom in deciding how you want to celebrate your country; you feel we will foster resentment if people are banned from “doing business when they want to;” you feel it is a social benefit when your Canada Day shopping supports employees’ retirement
COnTaCT US yorkregion.com
King Connection 580 Steven Court Newmarket, ON L3Y 4X1 Phone: 905-853-8888 Fax: 905-853-4626 Web: www.yorkregion.com
Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters.
savings. In response we wish to point out that we feel you are not as value-free as you think you are. The CBC radio program “Tapestry” on Nov. 6 made this point. Harvey Cox was the speaker. Entitled, “The Market is God,” the program described the ideology that people unconsciously value: “we must consume to be fulfilled.” Shopping is the modern ritual; huge shopping malls are the cathedrals of our day, and
● MORE ONLINE Read all our published letters at yorkregion.com
“doing business when I want to” is like being an omnipotent deity. Having a conversation on social media about values is fine. We can be found on Facebook at “Social Cohesion on Canada Day.” Those who wish to value a “common pause day” on this nation’s birthday, can visit the website socialcohesion-on-canada-day. org and click on the link at the bottom of the page to go to the online petition. By signing the petition you are urging York Region Council to stop large-scale commercial activity on Canada Day. Ross Carson and Rolf Ehrat Newmarket and Kettleby
WHO WE aRE Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail customersupport@metroland.com or call 1-855-853-5613.
Publisher Dana Robbins General Manager Shaun Sauve Director of Advertising Maureen Christie
Editor-in-Chief Metroland Central Joanne Burghardt Editor-in-Chief York Region Lee Ann Waterman Managing Editor Ted McFadden
Director Distribution Mike Banville Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron Advertising Manager Tanya Pacheco